John Smith
choral music composer
John Smith has had a long career in choral singing and music education. As a composer of choral compositions he values singability and an understanding of the human voice as a lyrical instrument.
John Smith's Compositions
The Virgin Mary
The last of of three spirituals. “Swing low, sweet chariot” was written for St George’s day service at grosvenor Chapel Mayfair. “Let us break bread together” is intended as a communion anthem and begins with the simple basic harmonisation of the tune before the melody diffuses into the other voices. “The Virgin Mary had a baby boy” is much lighter in character and was originally written for a choir in the Netherlands. Each verse transposes up a semitone in order and a high soprano solo is added in the third verse.
Let us break bread together
One of three spirituals. “Swing low, sweet chariot” was written for St George’s day service at Grosvenor Chapel Mayfair. “Let us break bread together” is intended as a communion anthem and begins with the simple basic harmonisation of the tune before the melody diffuses into the other voices. “The Virgin Mary had a baby boy” is much lighter in character and was originally written for a choir in the Netherlands. Each verse transposes up a semitone in order and a high soprano solo is added in the third verse.
Tantum Ergo
A setting of the communion motet Tantum ergo by John Smith for SATB choir a capella.
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
One of the arrangements of three spirituals. in John Smith’s Opus 5. “Swing low, sweet chariot” was written for St George’s day service at Grosvenor Chapel Mayfair. “Let us break bread together” is intended as a communion anthem and begins with the simple basic harmonisation of the tune before the melody diffuses into the other voices. “The Virgin Mary had a baby boy” is much lighter in character and was originally written for a choir in the Netherlands. Each verse transposes up a semitone in order and a high soprano solo is added in the third verse.
Qui creavit coelum “Song of the Nuns of Chester”
“The song of the nuns of Chester” A Christmas Carol. A setting of the “Song of the nuns of Chester” by John Smith for SATB (with divisi) choir a capella.
This Christmas carol has a 6/8 time signature which represents the rocking of a cradle. The piece is modal and has a medieval feel. This is hinted at by the monody solos of verse 1 & 2, the bare 5ths at the cadence points in verse 3, the suggestion of 15th century faux-burden technique in verse 4, the counterpoint and consecutives in verse 5 before the harmonic verse 6. This carol was shortlisted in the top 5 entries of the London Bach Choir carol competition 2024.
Te Lucis Ante Terminum
An evening motet is modal in style and has a clear structure. Each phrase forms an arc, each verse is an arc and all three verses form an arc. The first and last verse are centered around F, whilst the second verse is centered around C touching on G at the climax to the piece. Care should be taken of the dynamics in performing the piece.
This motet received its London premiere in the London festival of contemporary church music 2025.
